Dr. Misty Jenkins
R&D CHAMPIONS
A/Prof Misty Jenkins
Leading immunology scientist at Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research and Board Director
A/Prof Misty Jenkins is a trailblazer in the world of brain cancer research and immunotherapy. She is building a reputation as a world leader in finding cures for cancers and new ways to treat disease.
Dr Jenkins is an immunologist, specialising in new therapies to cure brain cancer. She was awarded a prestigious College Fellowship at The University of Cambridge, a National Health and Medical Research Council Career Development Fellowship, and NHMRC Investigator grant and the RG Menzies Fellowship, reserved for the top-ranked fellow.
Currently A/Prof Jenkins leads a laboratory at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, overseeing scientists working in the field of cancer immunotherapy. Prior to that she was a Senior Research Fellow at The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.
A/Prof is currently the co-chair of the Indigenous Health MRFF for the federal Government, responsible for distribution of $160M. She is a member of Australian Institute of Company Directors and currently a non-executive Director of the Monash Health Board. She has held several governance positions including, chair of the National Centre for Indigenous Genomics, Board Member of Aurora Foundation and a was a founding member of Women in Science Parkville Precinct. She has been a director on other not-for-profit boards, bringing strategy, funding and governance expertise and is a member of the Victorian Government’s Health and Medical Research Strategic Advisory Committee.
A/Prof Jenkins is a sought-after speaker and media commentator, building an international reputation for her speeches and insights on how science is changing, the era of personalised medicine, new therapies for brain cancer, new ways to fund science and the importance of gender equity and inclusion in science and has been a campaigner for women and girls to study STEM.
A descendent of the Gunditjmara nation of western Victoria, A/Prof Jenkins is a major contributor to Indigenous affairs and a passionate advocate for increasing the participation of Indigenous Australians in higher education and in STEM. She also talks on reducing inequalities and racism in healthcare. #IndigiSTEM.
In 2016 her contribution to leadership, innovation and advocacy was recognised when she was named an Australian Financial Review’s 100 Women of Influence.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Science with 1st Class Honours and a PhD in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Melbourne.
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